Cowboys are set to face nightmare scenario over next couple of weeks that could cost them big time
When it rains, it pours, and for the Dallas Cowboys, their list of injured players just got pretty brutal on the short-term side of things as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence are both projected to miss playing time. Parsons avoided a worst-case scenario after being carted off the field in Week 4, as he suffered a […]
When it rains, it pours, and for the Dallas Cowboys, their list of injured players just got pretty brutal on the short-term side of things as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence are both projected to miss playing time.
Parsons avoided a worst-case scenario after being carted off the field in Week 4, as he suffered a high-ankle sprain. There's no timetable set for the Cowboys superstar defender but chances are the team could take the patient route with him and have him sit out at least Week 5's showdown against the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, Lawrence suffered a foot injury that will reportedly cause him to miss multiple weeks, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
A Week 7 bye suggests the Cowboys could accept the fact they'll be down their two edge rushers against the Steelers and the Detroit Lions in an effort to give them a longer rest period. For the long term, that would probably be the wisest as Dallas will need these two if they're to stand a chance deeper into the season.
However, as far as the short-term goes, this is a nightmare scenario for Mike Zimmer's defense. Simply put, the Cowboys are quite literally running out of defensive ends.
On the 53-man roster, the Cowboys have second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, and the mostly unexperienced Tyrus Wheat. The team has also been elevating Carl Lawson from the practice squad each of the last two games and could continue to do so.
Without Lawrence and Parsons, there's no sugarcoating it: It's a bad DE unit. For a defense that has already struggled against the run and generating pressure, that'll be a big problem regardless of who's on the other side of the ball. In the NFL, few things are as concerning as a cluster of injuries.
Consider this: Both the Steelers and Lions are physical teams that were likely already planning to run the ball on Dallas. If they know both their defensive ends are out, you can bet they'll aim for the perimeter to attempt to replicate the Ravens' and Saints' previous success.
It's a bad spot to be in, at least short-term wise, and the Cowboys should be trying to seek outside help during their long week. Otherwise, they'll be fielding a highly questionable defensive line next time they're on the field against the always-tough-to-beat Steelers. Going 0-2 before the bye week could be season-breaking for the Cowboys, as up next they'll have the 49ers, Falcons, Eagles, Texans, and Commanders.
For now, we can only wait and hope Parsons and Lawrence heal up quickly.
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